Clean Sweep Experts reveal the little changes that can make the biggest impact

“Making changes in your beauty regimen can be hard, especially when we’ve been using the same makeup and skincare for years. My suggestion is to start with one product at a time. If you switch everything at once, and something makes your skin break out, it will be harder to see what the culprit was,” says Annie Tevelin, Founder of vegan skincare brand Skin Owl.

While adopting a toxin-free beauty regimen isn’t going to happen overnight, there is a consensus on the major ingredients all women should avoid.

“According to the Environmental Working Group, women expose their body to more than 200 chemicals from personal care products alone! For me, the main concern is endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can cause havoc with our hormones. These include parabens, fragrance and glycol,” says Valerie Grandury, Founder of Los-Angeles based label Odacité.

Also high on the list is aluminium, which can be found in most conventional deodorants.

“The underarms can absorb over 90 per cent of what you apply. Aluminium antiperspirant is an endocrine disrupter and mimics oestrogen. I also avoid oxybenzone, a toxic ingredient found in sunscreen and glycolic acid which is derived from formaldehyde which affects the adrenal glands,” says Jena Covello, who developed her brand Agent Nateur, one of the finalists from Lane Crawford’s Creative Call Out 2018 in Los Angeles, after experiencing hormone-related health problems.

When in doubt, all agree that research is the most important tool. Use Instagram and green beauty bloggers to navigate what product will suit your skin concerns, while online databases such as EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database rates products based on their toxicity.

No matter what you do, always remember that it will take time to see the long-term effects.

“Patience is important. You’re taking on a whole new regiment and your skin is healing from potential prior damage before it can be its true natural self. Don’t expect results as you would in a doctor’s office but in the long run, your skin would thrive and thank you for it,” says Shrankhla Holecek, Founder of cult beauty brand Uma Oils.